I’ve been closely following the ongoing rivalry between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers. The foul blood between these two Western Conference powerhouses has been brewing for some time, and it’s only intensifying as they prepare to face off again on the court.
Ja Morant Will Miss The Lakers Game With An Injury
The Grizzlies’ superstar point guard, Ja Morant, will miss his third consecutive game due to a right hip injury, which is the big news heading into this matchup. Morant sustained the injury during Memphis’ 131-114 victory over the Lakers on November 6th, and medical imaging has confirmed a posterior hip subluxation and several Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains.
According to Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, Morant is “making good progress” in his recovery but will remain “week-to-week” as he continues to rehab the injury. Despite Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies have managed to maintain their winning ways, dominating their last two games against the Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers.
Bad Blood Between The Lakers And Grizzlies
The animosity between these two teams extends well beyond the current season. Following the Grizzlies’ recent victory over the Lakers, Ja Morant openly admitted his dislike for the Purple and Gold, referencing the Lakers’ elimination of the Grizzlies from the 2022-23 playoffs.
“I don’t like ’em. They knocked me out of the playoffs,” Morant said. “And then last year we had a game, and they came in here and popped it on our home floor when I was in street clothes. I wasn’t tonight.”
Several heated exchanges between the players, including a now-viral moment from a January 2022 game where LeBron James and Desmond Bane engaged in some trash talk, have also fueled this long-standing rivalry.
In the recent matchup, the tensions continued to simmer. Morant hit the “too small” celebration after scoring over Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, only for James to respond with his own version of the celebration. Dillon Brooks also took a jab at the “old man” James, referencing a late-game defensive play by former Lakers guard Scotty Pippen Jr.
James Dismisses Any Bad Blood
Despite the ongoing feud, LeBron James has downplayed the significance of the trash talk and heated exchanges, suggesting it’s all part of the competitive spirit of the game. “We all grew up playing on the blacktop, playing outside, and competing at a high level when there were no cameras around; it was just a bunch of s— talking around and playing the game,” James stated.
Kawamura-Morant Bromance Steals The Show
While the rivalry between the Grizzlies and Lakers continues to dominate the headlines, there’s another story emerging that’s capturing the hearts of basketball fans—the budding bromance between Grizzlies rookie Yuki Kawamura and the team’s superstar, Ja Morant.
Kawamura, an undrafted player who has earned a two-way contract with the Grizzlies, has quickly endeared himself to Morant and the entire Memphis fanbase. Observers have spotted the two dancing together, celebrating wins, and even engaging in some playful trash talk on the court.
Kawamura explained that Morant and Kawamura celebrated Memphis’ season-opening win with a post on an Instagram story as the season began. “Days later, Morant got a bucket and pointed to Kawamura, who then pulled out a ‘too small’ celebration from the bench.”
The Grizzlies-Lakers rivalry may be the headline story, but the blossoming friendship between Morant and Kawamura has emerged as a heartwarming subplot that has captivated the NBA community.
The Grizzlies will test their depth and the growing bond between their veteran leader and rookie upstart as they prepare to take on the Lakers without their star player. However, it’s undeniable that the animosity between these two teams remains unwavering.
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